Modi’s Rwanda visit to boost ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rwanda later this month, the first by an Indian Premier, will be a “big boost” for bilateral ties, the president of the country’s Senate said on Monday.

According to news agencies, PM Modi would visit the country when he travels to the African continent later this month to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa from July 25- 27.

Interestingly, Chinese President Xi Jinping is also likely to visit the African country this month. China has made large investments in Africa which have enormously boosted its influence, even as India has also stepped up its assistance to countries in the African continent.

Describing the visits of Mr Modi and Mr Xi as “very important”, Rwanda Senate President Bernard Makuza said there was “no conflict” in having relations based on mutual interest with both the Asian giants.

Makuza, the country’s former Premier, said Modi’s visit to Rwanda will be a “big boost” for bilateral ties and underlined that his country was seeking collaboration with India in sectors such as agriculture and energy.

Asked how Rwanda looks to balance its ties with China and India as both the Asian giants vie for the leadership of developing countries, Makuza said it was very easy to maintain a balance as Rwanda respects relations with both the nations.

“At the end of this month, in Rwanda, we have very important visits by Prime Minister of India and the President of China,” Mr Makuza said at a talk organised in New Delhi by a think- tank.

“( There is) no conflict in our view ( in maintaining ties with both)... We are for international relations based on mutual interest,” he said.

Mr Makuza, who is here on an official visit on the invitation of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, also said that India and Rwanda would “very soon” sign a double taxation avoidance agreement. He, however, did not confirm if it would be inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rwanda.